What is viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is a virus that affects the liver, and include hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A, B and C are most common in Australia.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis?
Not everyone with hepatitis will have symptoms. When they do occur, they may include:
- fever,
- nausea,
- abdominal pain or discomfort,
- loss of appetite,
- dark urine,
- painful joints,
- fatigue,
- swelling (oedema), and
- jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
What causes hepatitis?
Hepatitis A and E generally spread through contact with contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B and D spread through contact with an infected person’s blood or other bodily fluids, and hepatitis C with blood only.
Hepatitis A and B can be avoided through vaccination.
What treatment options are available?
The treatment will depend on the type of hepatitis you have.
Hepatitis A
No specific treatment is needed. Alcohol and medication should be avoided while the liver is recovering.
Hepatitis B
Treatment may not be required, however it is important to monitor the liver regularly to detect any changes. If treatment is required, antiviral drugs may be used.
Hepatitis C
Combination therapy is suggested for hepatitis C, which can lead to eradication (cure). This may include two or three of: pegylated interferon injections (a signaling protein), ribavirin (an antiviral medication) and an antiviral protease inhibitor (such as Boceprevir or Telaprevir).
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Acute infections will often resolve themselves without treatment. Chronic hepatitis D may respond to peg interferon (a signaling protein).
Hepatitis E
As hepatitis E is often an acute infection, meaning it is short-term, the body will often fight off the infection without any help.
Over time, chronic hepatitis (caused by either hepatitis B or C) can cause cirrhosis and cancer of the liver.
Find out more about viral hepatitis
To find out more about viral hepatitis talk to one of our hepatologists today.